2013 Draft Prep: Fantasy factors in the 2013 schedule

There's no such thing as a magical crystal ball for Fantasy owners to look into. If there was, someone would probably lock it away in their house and not tell anyone about it, dominating their leagues year after year.

In lieu of such a thing, we consider the matchups every team has from a high level. Besides, if Fantasy Football is all about matchups, then it would only make sense to look at the schedule to see who has the easy matchups and who has the tough matchups.

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Therein lies a problem: A defense that looks easy now could be a problem once the games start. Last year we might have overlooked the Chargers and Rams defenses while putting too much stock in the Eagles, Chiefs and Lions. We don't use 2012 data to tell you which matchups are good or not. Instead we focus on who the defenses have now and whether or not they will be troublesome. You'll see some of this in our reviews for every team's schedule below.

The point of reviewing schedules is merely to help provide small tiebreakers between similar players at a given position. For instance, if you're debating which rookie running back to take from Montee Ball and Le'Veon Bell, this exercise showed that Ball should have the edge when it comes to the schedule. A lot of Fantasy owners will debate which of the four breakout quarterbacks from last season to draft -- according to their schedules, Russell Wilson has the biggest edge. Let this be a tool in your draft prep, not a manifesto to lean on.

Also, for the first time in the history of this annual piece, we're going to offer a prediction on the record for every team. By the end of the year we'll see if we look like we have a crystal ball in our house ... or if our brains are full of rocks.

Note: Thursday night matchups are in bold.

NFC East

Common opponents: NFC North, AFC West

Dallas Cowboys - Predicted Finish: 7-9

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NYG

@KC

STL

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@NO

bye

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OAK

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GB

@WAS

PHI

If DeMarco Murray can stay on the field he should do pretty well. Only one or two of the Cowboys' first eight matchups look dangerous for him and ultimately the entire slate is manageable. Playing 10 indoor games help his cause too. The news isn't quite as good for Tony Romo, who faces familiar foes and/or dangerous pass rushers for most of those same eight matchups. A late-season bye and a Thanksgiving lay-up vs. Oakland highlight what is a fairly decent back-half schedule.

New York Giants - Predicted Finish: 8-8

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DAL

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SEA

@DET

WAS

One of the more challenging opening schedules you'll see. Four road games in their first six -- including at the Bears on a short week -- doesn't make life easy for Big Blue. The Panthers, Chiefs and Eagles might look like soft matchups for the offense but they'll be a challenge at least. All of the Giants' easier matchups (Oakland, Washington, San Diego, Detroit) come after the bye. It does help that they have a three-game homestand starting in Week 10. Overall this isn't a brilliant schedule for David Wilson seeing as how he'll split carries and play behind a less-than-perfect offensive line. Don't be the one to reach for him.

Philadelphia Eagles - Predicted Finish: 6-10

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ARI

DET

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CHI

@DAL

Welcome to the NFL, Chip Kelly: The Eagles' hurry-up offense begins the year playing three games over 11 days including two on National TV. That three-game stretch is followed by three straight games on the road. The lone positive is that they don't face a dangerous run defense until they're at Tampa Bay in Week 6, so the early sked shouldn't completely scare prospective LeSean McCoy owners off. Now every team is different but getting this squad rested and prepared over what might be a 2-4 start could be a challenge for Kelly, and his veterans could grow weary of his scheme by then. It could get ugly before it gets better, which should precisely be in Week 11 when the Eagles start a four week, three-game stretch where they don't leave town. That's when Kelly will have this offense rolling.

Washington Redskins - Predicted Finish: 9-7

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An early bye combined with three fairly easy matchups in his first four games should give Robert Griffin III a solid shot to regain his hyper-productive form by October. Later in the year the Redskins land a three-game homestand but it comes against capable defenses in the 49ers, Giants and Chiefs. The second-half schedule is pretty good; over their last nine games the Redskins face one dangerous defensive team (the Niners) and several with suspect pass rushes and/or secondaries.

NFC North

Common opponents: NFC East, AFC North

Chicago Bears - Predicted Finish: 7-9

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BAL

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DAL

@CLE

@PHI

GB

Matt Forte's season could get off to a tough start against three teams (Bengals, Vikings, Steelers) with big defensive fronts, especially if the Bears' offensive line can't improve by leaps and bounds. Forte's history against the Vikings isn't overly positive (hasn't scored on them since 2008). All three of those teams also sport tough pass rushes, so it could be tough for Marc Trestman's crew to get off to a good start. The Bears do have more than their fair share of matchups against sketchy secondaries -- particularly after those first three games -- a plus to Brandon Marshall and by default Jay Cutler. The Bears play all of their road games in back-to-back matchups (one set has a bye week in between), kind of a weird wrinkle.

Detroit Lions - Predicted Finish: 8-8

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@ARI

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DAL

bye

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TB

GB

@PHI

BAL

NYG

@MIN

Half of the Lions' road games will be played within the first six weeks but half of their home games come in a five-week span between Weeks 12 and 16 -- the thick of Fantasy crunch time. But the reality is pretty much any matchup the Lions have where Matthew Stafford will have some time to throw is good enough. When they take on a team with a perceived soft run defense they'll still throw the ball plenty because that's the strength of their team. That said they will have a number of challenging games this year against units that should bring some heat and have enough talent in the secondary to make things a little tough on them. Not that you'd ever bench Stafford or Calvin Johnson or even Reggie Bush but Weeks 4 through 7 and 10 through 13 won't be a walk in the park.

Green Bay Packers - Predicted Finish: 12-4

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Coach Mike McCarthy recognized the gauntlet the NFL threw down on the schedule in Week 1: a rematch against Colin Kaepernick's legs and the Niners. After Kaepernick ran for 180 yards on them in the playoffs it will be certain the Packers won't let it happen again. But they'll have to not only battle Kap but RG3 in Week 2, a double dip of speedy quarterbacks. Other than Michael Vick in Week 10, though, that's really it. Most everything else represents a tough matchup that could be high scoring or a one-sided matchup the Packers should win. The Packers don't play a divisional opponent until Week 5 and the late season schedule is a fairly decent series of games for the Packers until a pretty exciting matchup vs. the Steelers at Lambeau in Week 16. That's not going to be the cake walk Fantasy owners of Aaron Rodgers will look forward to in their league title game.

Minnesota Vikings - Predicted Finish: 7-9

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PHI

@CIN

DET

The Vikings might begin the year with a nice game at Detroit but that's the first of three road games in their first four weeks. That's because their "home" game against the Steelers is in London in Week 4, followed by an early-season bye. They have four more road games in their next seven matchups after the bye, too. And while we're on the road, check out the Vikings' final four opponents outdoors: Seahawks (Week 11), Packers (Week 12), Ravens (Week 14) and Bengals (Week 16). The silver lining isn't that great but the Vikes get three December games in their dome, but it includes the cush matchup vs. Detroit in Week 17, a matchup that might not count for your league.

NFC South

Common opponents: NFC West, AFC East

Atlanta Falcons - Predicted Finish: 10-6

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NO

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@GB

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@SF

CAR

Eleven indoor games for Matt Ryan & Co. should translate well to the passing game statistics. Steven Jackson has already shown an ability to run well on turf, so there shouldn't be any worries there or for any prominent Falcons Fantasy stars ... until Week 16 when they play at San Francisco. In fact, three of the Falcons' last five are on the road. Also, the Falcons are the only team to play opponents coming off of a Thursday night game in back-to-back weeks. Worse yet, they're both on the road (at the Cardinals, at the Panthers). Those could be tight yet prodductive games. The good news is those matchups follow a four-week stretch where the Falcons won't leave Atlanta (Weeks 4 through 7).

Carolina Panthers - Predicted Finish: 6-10

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NO

@ATL

It's hard not to like the Panthers' early-season schedule. Opening with the Seahawks at home will be tough but after that the toughest defense they'll face might be the Vikings from Week 2 to Week 7. Expect a good start from Cam Newton. The Panthers also landed a real nice Fantasy playoff schedule, getting the Saints twice and the Jets once (hello, Ryan Brothers!) in Weeks 14 through 16. It's between those stretches where the Panthers could struggle -- they take on an improved Bucs defense twice and three conference championship teams between Weeks 8 and 13.

New Orleans Saints - Predicted Finish: 8-8

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@CAR

TB

Knowing Rob Ryan's history as a defensive coordinator along with what the Saints have in terms of a pass rush, Fantasy owners should continue to expect plenty more high-scoring games from the Saints as the offense chases points. The schedule shakes out as being a mostly even mix of good matchups and challenging ones until you get to Week 11, when they host the Niners. After that tough battle the Saints will play four road games (two outdoors) over a span of five weeks. Of those road games only Seattle in Week 13 is a daunting task, though.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Predicted Finish: 11-5

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BUF

SF

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@NO

You have to like the Bucs' early-season schedule -- only a matchup at New England could separate the Bucs from a 5-0 start before playing at Atlanta in Week 7. Doug Martin especially could have upwards of 700 rush yards by the time he takes on the Seahawks in Seattle in Week 9. Getting the Niners at their place in Week 15 could be tough on the offense, as might a game at St. Louis the week after. Nonetheless, the Bucs have a great chance to compete for a playoff spot thanks to this slate.

NFC West

Common opponents: NFC South, AFC South

Arizona Cardinals - Predicted Finish: 5-11

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ATL

bye

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IND

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STL

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@SEA

SF

Four road games in the Cards' first six weeks is set off by three home games in a row with a bye in between. That's followed by a five-game stretch where the toughest defense the Cardinals offense plays might be the Rams or the Titans. Either way, not bad at all. Bruce Arians' bunch drew a tough Week 16 matchup against the Seahawks in Seattle and they end the year against the Niners at home, making the Fantasy championships tough on Larry Fitzgerald's owners. It also stinks for the Cards that they have to play the Seahawks and Niners in back-to-back games twice in 2013!

San Francisco 49ers - Predicted Finish: 12-4

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@SEA

IND

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bye

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STL

SEA

@TB

ATL

@ARI

Nothing like starting the season against three playoff teams. That's what the Niners have along with half of their season's home games within the first six weeks. However, they have a span from Week 6 until Week 13 where they might not lose a game (and score 24-plus points per game in the process). Winning without Michael Crabtree seems like a chore at first, and they'll have some trouble against teams that can slow down the run, but they just don't play many of them.

St. Louis Rams - Predicted Finish: 8-8

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SEA

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bye

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NO

TB

@SEA

St. Louis might field the most improved team that shows it everywhere but in the standings. Opponents with thin secondaries will be beneficial to the Rams but they come in short supply in 2013. Everyone else the Rams face is a dominant team on both sides of the ball or a squad that should be able to put the Rams away by the end of the fourth quarter. For the Rams offense to keep up with the likes of the Cowboys, Panthers and Colts, they need some breakout offensive players. For now it seems too unlikely. Even with their additions along the O-line and in the pass attack there are still too many question marks, especially as they play in the tough NFC West.

Seattle Seahawks - Predicted Finish: 13-3

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bye

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ARI

STL

The Seahawks have three games against 2012 playoff teams in their first five games, and only three more the rest of the season. It's a good schedule and especially one lacking a lot of tough defenses. The Niners for two games, the Texans, the Bucs and maybe the Vikings are really the only challenges in front of Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch. Throw Percy Harvin in the Seahawks' mix and even those tough defenses are going to have their hands full. Expect the Seahawks to battle for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

AFC East

Common opponents: AFC North, NFC South

Buffalo Bills - Predicted Finish: 4-12

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CAR

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KC

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NYJ

bye

vsATL

@TB

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MIA

@NE

The poor Bills take on a team coming off a Thursday game not once, not twice, but three times in 2013. They also play the Dolphins, Saints and Jets coming off of their byes -- that's six matchups where their opponents have more time to prepare than they do. It's borderline criminal! It's also going to take matchups against suspect run defenses for the Bills to compile their wins. Fortunately for them, they have a number of those kinds of opponents lined up. It might not be enough to win 10 games, but it should make C.J. Spiller a very productive Fantasy player.

Miami Dolphins - Predicted Finish: 7-9

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NYJ

Starting with three road games in four weeks is a nightmare, but the matchups are anything but. The Browns, Colts and Saints defenses are far from complete and a young offense like the Dolphins' could be dangerous. Throw in a declining Falcons defense and it could make for a good early-season start for Lamar Miller and Mike Wallace. Also helping the Dolphins is not facing a familiar foe until Week 7, and that's when things get rough. A number of playoff contenders and strong pass defenses along with AFC East rivals litter the rest of their schedule.

New England Patriots - Predicted Finish: 12-4

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DEN

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CLE

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BUF

The Patriots have more games against teams boasting strong offenses than strong defenses, suggesting they'll be in a lot of high-scoring matchups. That's what the Pats do best, though. One thing I looked for in their schedule is matchups against weaker run defenses since the Pats could get back to the ground game if their passing attack really is limited. The Pats really don't have many games against those kinds of defenses -- most of their opponents are expected to be good against the run. Granted, just because they look good now doesn't mean they'll look good once Tom Brady starts firing away and loosens up the safeties.

New York Jets - Predicted Finish: 3-13

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bye

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OAK

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CLE

@MIA

Anyone using a member of the Jets passing game in Fantasy is asking for trouble, so we're especially focused on how Chris Ivory might do in his first full year as a starter. He'll be hit or miss at the beginning of the year but assuming he doesn't get hurt and holds off others for reps, he might end up being a Fantasy postseason MVP. The Jets finish with the Raiders at home, at the Panthers, the Browns at home in Week 16 and the Dolphins in Miami in Week 17. That should be juicy for Ivory.

AFC North

Common opponents: AFC East, NFC North

Baltimore Ravens - Predicted Finish: 10-6

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CLE

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@CLE

CIN

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PIT

MIN

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NE

@CIN

Much has been made of the Ravens opening the season on the road instead of at home to a festive celebration. But what they lost by playing at Denver in Week 1 they gain by hosting the Browns in Week 2, the Texans in Week 3 and a three-game homestand starting in Week 12. The Ravens face plenty of good secondaries including defenses with at least one good cornerback in 13 games. That could be a problem for an offense with one quality receiver (Torrey Smith) and a lot of question marks. The defense will certainly be tested: Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford and Jay Cutler all will crank up their arms to face this defense.

Cincinnati Bengals - Predicted Finish: 10-6

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CLE

bye

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IND

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MIN

BAL

Andy Dalton could be in for a rough start with three straight games against tough defenses that bring a serious pass rush. That early schedule is also a big red flag for the Bengals' run game. The rest of the season is considerably easier for Dalton until Week 15, when Cincinnati plays at Pittsburgh and Week 16 when it hosts Minnesota. Again, more pressure on Dalton and more pressure on the rushing offense to perform.

Cleveland Browns - Predicted Finish: 7-9

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The Browns start their schedule with four defenses that should be able to at least contain Trent Richardson and hold him to, say, 100 total yards per game. Without Josh Gordon for their first two matchups the Browns will be hard pressed to put up a lot of points. But it gets easier thanks to a three-game homestand with some beatable opponents, then it gets ugly again with matchups against the Packers, Ravens, Bengals, Patriots, Bears and two against the Steelers (at Pittsburgh in Week 17) in their last 10 games. At least Richardson should pulverize the Jets in Week 16, assuming he's still upright by then.

Pittsburgh Steelers - Predicted Finish: 9-7

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BUF

DET

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CLE

There are a lot of Le'Veon Bell fans out there but he doesn't have the best starting slate. Matchups against Tennessee and the Jets aren't bad but nothing you can salivate over until a trip to Oakland in Week 8. The schedule does ease up for Bell and the Steelers down the stretch, which is always a plus. Tough game for them at Green Bay in Week 16.

AFC South

Common opponents: AFC West, NFC West

Houston Texans - Predicted Finish: 10-6

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bye

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OAK

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NE

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@IND

DEN

@TEN

The Texans should get off to a great start against the re-tooled Chargers and good-but-not-feared Titans. After that, it's a murderer's row of defenses: The Ravens, Seahawks and Niners could push the Texans to a sub-500 record and especially put a crimp in Arian Foster's totals. It's basically a Fantasyland of opponents after that. Save for a home game against the Patriots (as part of a three-game homestand) and another home game against the Broncos in Week 16, the Texans' schedule is pretty great, enough to consider Matt Schaub, Owen Daniels and DeAndre Hopkins when you otherwise might not have. You might not draft Foster but overpaying for him after Week 5 could pay off in the long run.

Indianapolis Colts - Predicted Finish: 8-8

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bye

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TEN

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HOU

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JAC

You'll love the Colts' star players after Week 1 and their game against the Raiders. They might even be as effective against the Dolphins in Week 2. After that it's trouble with the Niners, Seahawks, Broncos and Texans among their next six opponents. The second half of the slate is better, including games against the Chiefs and Jaguars to wrap the season.

Jacksonville Jaguars - Predicted Finish: 3-13

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bye

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ARI

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@CLE

HOU

BUF

TEN

@IND

Jacksonville's schedule starts harmlessly enough with games against the Chiefs, Raiders and Colts as three of its first four. Then they hit the road for four of their next five games, including dates vs. San Francisco (in London) and at Denver. Prominent offenses highlight the back half of the Jaguars' schedule, meaning the offense might have to unfurl an aggressive pass attack just to keep up. Only the Texans defense stands as the most dangerous in the second half of the year, but they play the Jags twice within a three-week span. Justin Blackmon may wind up as a second-half hero for the second year in a row.

Tennessee Titans - Predicted Finish: 6-10

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ARI

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HOU

Chris Johnson might be called CJ0.1k after his first two matchups: at Pittsburgh and at Houston. That's rough, but he should do better when the Titans open a three-game homestand against the Chargers, Jets and Chiefs. Then it's two more horrible matchups at Seattle and vs. San Fran. Things should open up for Johnson after that as only games at Denver and vs. Houston stand to trip up Johnson. His goal of getting to 2,000 rush yards seems unlikely, but 2,000 total yards might not be out of the question. The second half of the year looks good for Kenny Britt too.

AFC West

Common opponents: AFC South, NFC East

Denver Broncos - Predicted Finish: 15-1

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OAK

PHI

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bye

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KC

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@KC

TEN

SD

@HOU

@OAK

Despite opening the season against each of the last two Super Bowl champions, the Broncos have the easiest schedule of any team in the NFL. They have only two sets of back-to-back road games all year. They cross the Mississippi river three times. Their toughest home game is likely going to be in Week 1 and their toughest road opponents (New England, Houston) are basically revenge games from losses in 2012. The Chiefs might give the Broncos a little trouble, too. About the only terrible aspect here is that the Broncos play at Oakland in Week 17, a matchup we'd rather see earlier in the year. Couple all of this with a Week 9 bye and it might not be a bad idea to load up on Broncos players in Fantasy drafts.

Kansas City Chiefs - Predicted Finish: 7-9

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17

@JAC

DAL

@PHI

NYG

@TEN

OAK

HOU

CLE

@BUF

bye

@DEN

SD

DEN

@WAS

@OAK

IND

@SD

The Chiefs don't have it too bad. Not only are two of their division rivals in a freefall but they also hired Andy Reid just in time to face the teams he used to play against (and coach) in the NFC East. Three of the Chiefs' first four games are against the NFC East and they don't face a division rival until Week 6 when they start a three-game stretch at home. Kansas City's ultimate division rival -- Denver -- in on tap twice in three weeks after their bye. Those games, along with the matchup at home against Houston, are the scariest on their slate.

Oakland Raiders - Predicted Finish: 2-14

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@IND

JAC

@DEN

WAS

SD

@KC

bye

PIT

PHI

@NYG

@HOU

TEN

@DAL

@NYJ

KC

@SD

DEN

You don't need a schedule to know it's going to be a long year for Oakland. Their offense and defense are both in disarray. It would take a schedule chock full of matchups against their own team for them to have a crack at a winning record. Know this: Darren McFadden should have a chance at a good start against the Colts, Jaguars and Redskins among his first four opponents. It doesn't get much easier after that, yielding yet another reason to be wary of him when you think about drafting him.

San Diego Chargers - Predicted Finish: 6-10

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HOU

@PHI

@TEN

DAL

@OAK

IND

@JAC

bye

@WAS

DEN

@MIA

@KC

CIN

NYG

@DEN

OAK

KC

After a home debut against Houston, the Chargers offense will have a chance to get going with a nice stretch of games from Week 2 through Week 9. The closing schedule isn't nearly as appealing, save for one very attractive matchup: home vs. the Raiders in Week 16. If everyone's healthy and active for the Bolts then they should be in excellent shape to put up a ton of points in that matchup.

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